55 gal v.s. 75 gal

[Tarpon001]

I'm in the process of planning my first tank and the more research I do the more I keep changing my plans. My initial plan was to start a 29 gal Biocube, but upon reading my new book by Bullock, I decided to go up to 55 gal. Then, for about a week, I was geared toward planning for the 55 when I found a 75 on sale for $199 at the LFS. The price wasn't the main reason for considering the 75. It had more to do with the what the guy at the LFS was telling me about the variety of livestock I would not be able to keep in the 55. One annoying side note about the LFS-he could tell that I was new to the reef world and I felt like he was taking advantage of my lack of perspective on the subject. Anyway, I was looking at his livestock, and though I'm not particularly crazy about Tangs (look kind of Miami Viceyesque), I do want to have one in the tank. So, the guy at the LFS told me I would only be able to keep one very small Tang in the 55 tank and that once it got bigger I would have to get rid of it. That makes sense to me and the last thing I want to do is push the bio load over the edge or design a system with too many limitations. Nevertheless, I'm finding, as with all my other hobbies, one must set a final "line in the sand," so to speak. I'm not planning on opening "Ocean World" in my neighborhood after all, so I'm thinking that 75 must be the final size. Finally, the question. Will I open a lot more opportunities for diversity if I go to the 75? Please, for the love of god, don't tell what I can do if I go above 75 or I will need to move into a different home. :rollface:

thanks

 

[RyanMcLaughlin]

If you do get a 75 you can keep more things than in a 55. There are also other fish you can keep in a 75 that wouldnt be suited for a 55. From everything i have read the bigger the better in tank sizes. Good luck with the setup.

 

[snorvich]

In general, bigger is better (greater water volume is always better) and there are definitely more animals possible in larger tanks. But another way to look at things is that with larger water volume you have a greater insulation from bad things that might happen.

 

[Tarpon001]

Yeah, I get that concept, but is there a "major" threshold that you cross between a 55 and 75, in terms of the species available in a 75?

thanks

 

[clevername]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11585710#post11585710 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tarpon001
Yeah, I get that concept, but is there a "major" threshold that you cross between a 55 and 75, in terms of the species available in a 75?

thanks

To answer your question simply NO.

I would recommend the 75G because its deeper (front to back) and stacking rock LOOKS WAY BETTER. In my 55 a pile of rocks hits the front and back glass.

On the other hand a 90G has the same base as the 75G but its just taller. So if you go 75G just bump up to 90G the stands are the same.


Re-cap 55G skinny 75G = deeper but different stand size 90G Taller and deeper then 55G but same stand as 75G

 

[jubjub]

i'm really still very new to this but i just got my first tank up and running its a 55gal only reason i got a 55gal was petco has sales from time to time 1$/gallon...so i got a 55gallon brand spanking new for 63$ total.... if that sale never happened i would definately go with a 75gal next time after getting the tank i learned this bought all my equipment for a 75-90gal tank heaters/pumps/250w MH's etc anticipating a upgrade at some point.... but who mentioned that his rock hit the front and back mine does the same....live and learn though right? if you can afford it go for the bigger tank

 

[warrenm107]

There is not that much of a difference between the 55 and the 75 as far as livestock is concerned. The local fish store probably wants a higher profit margin. It will cost more to maintain a 75 vs a 55. More salt for water changes, heaters, live rock, etc.

But in the long run you will be happier with the 75 gallon, most people that are succesful in this hobby usually want a bigger tank eventually. The 75 gallon will provide you with more versatility in your livestock selection. it will also give you more space to put all your corals in, without having to use much more light than you would in a 55 gallon.

 

[Vinnie71975]

Re: 55 gal v.s. 75 gal

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11585514#post11585514 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tarpon001
I'm in the process of planning my first tank and the more research I do the more I keep changing my plans. My initial plan was to start a 29 gal Biocube, but upon reading my new book by Bullock, I decided to go up to 55 gal. Then, for about a week, I was geared toward planning for the 55 when I found a 75 on sale for $199 at the LFS. The price wasn't the main reason for considering the 75. It had more to do with the what the guy at the LFS was telling me about the variety of livestock I would not be able to keep in the 55. One annoying side note about the LFS-he could tell that I was new to the reef world and I felt like he was taking advantage of my lack of perspective on the subject. Anyway, I was looking at his livestock, and though I'm not particularly crazy about Tangs (look kind of Miami Viceyesque), I do want to have one in the tank. So, the guy at the LFS told me I would only be able to keep one very small Tang in the 55 tank and that once it got bigger I would have to get rid of it. That makes sense to me and the last thing I want to do is push the bio load over the edge or design a system with too many limitations. Nevertheless, I'm finding, as with all my other hobbies, one must set a final "line in the sand," so to speak. I'm not planning on opening "Ocean World" in my neighborhood after all, so I'm thinking that 75 must be the final size. Finally, the question. Will I open a lot more opportunities for diversity if I go to the 75? Please, for the love of god, don't tell what I can do if I go above 75 or I will need to move into a different home. :rollface:

thanks

My Honest advice Buy the biggest tank you can afford up front, that way 6 months from now you dont have to upgrade cause you want a bigger fish/tank. If you can afford it i would start with a 120g or bigger, you can keep all the fish you could in a 75g plus you open the door to some really pretty bigger fish. Just IMHO. not to mention the bigger the tank the shorter the cycle and the more stable the tank will be in the long run!

 

[Ziggy953]

Actually you can get a 120 that is 4' long like the 55 or 75. But if you want to decide between the 2 I would go 75 just for the additional 20g of water.

 

[RAY HUNTER]

I want to jump on the waggon and beat the dead but bigger is better. Please don't make the mistake I did way back when, get a reef ready or drilled tank. Its just easier to do the plumbing.

 

[leoslizards]

I would also go for the 75g. I've only had my tank for almost four months now and I already want to upgrade.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11586046#post11586046 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jubjubrsx
i'm really still very new to this but i just got my first tank up and running its a 55gal only reason i got a 55gal was petco has sales from time to time 1$/gallon...so i got a 55gallon brand spanking new for 63$ total.... if that sale never happened i would definately go with a 75gal next time after getting the tank i learned this bought all my equipment for a 75-90gal tank heaters/pumps/250w MH's etc anticipating a upgrade at some point.... but who mentioned that his rock hit the front and back mine does the same....live and learn though right? if you can afford it go for the bigger tank

Do you happen to now whens the next sale? Was that Petsmart of Petco? I want to upgrade my 29g to a 55g.

 

[NanoGurl]

Agree on the 75. For SW it's a much more appealing tank to look at over time. The difference for livestock would be minimal, but your aquascaping advantages are MUCH better.

The price difference in water changes and heating will also be minimal. If you decide to go with MH lighting it will also work better.

 

[kathainbowen]

I agree with the 75 because you gain some simple things for the increase. You'd be getting a nice little 20 gallon increase with a minimal impact- especially on your budget right now while it's sale- and it's a nice little thing bit to dillute any pollutants in the water without going overboard into a huge, oversized tank that you can't care for. On the plus side, so long as it's going into a relatively decent sized space, it also won't visually take up more room than a 55, considering that the only size difference is width in the footprint of the tank.

That little nudge of extra width, by the by, is great. It allows you greater options for liverock selection and placement, so you can get much more creative with your aquascaping. Trust me. Between a 55 and a 75, the 75 is much, much easier to work liverock in with the wider space.

 

[kydsexy]

didn't read all the posts, forgive me if i repeat something there is a major threshold that is crossed from 55 to 75, just like the difference between a 33L and a 55. with any increase in tank size or increase in a tank shape is a major difference. With every increase you can unlock and entire new realm of what you can keep and how much you can keep.

 

[arc eye]

I currently have a 55g as my display tank and there basically isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish I had gone for a 90g. That said I would still choose the 75g over the 55g any day! The reason for this you ask? Aquascaping. If you don't like the 'rockwall' look that most narrow tanks tend to take on, do not get the 55g. The narrowness makes it extremely hard to build an open aquascape, i.e. a structure where fish can swim around all sides of it. With every new peice of rock I have added it has taken me nearly 3 hours to re-aquascape the whole thing to get to a stable and likable level. Also, almost everything you would buy for the 55g would work just fine on a 75g. Do not make the same 'bargain' 55g choice I did. GET THE 75G!

That said, I do think my tank looks pretty BA for a 55g and would be more than happy to send/post you pictures for ideas if you end up going with the 55g.

 

[camlov2]

leoslizards said it took him 4 months to want to upgrade, myself only 2. I am going from a 29 gallon biocube to a 125 sometime in the next year (and keeping the biocube). Either way I would suggest planning for quite a while before deciding. I have spend about $1000 over the last 4 months, this is not a cheap hobby.

I would say that the largest tank that you can afford and fit would be best. Decide the fish/corals you want before deciding the tank, read about each one and the lighting/space needed to support that creature. It would be hard to take something like a fish back to the store after having it for a year or two.

Brian

 

[drillsar]

if you have a petland discount near you, there usually the cheapest as far as tanks go, I got my 55gal with stand for $65.00 its a metal stand, they had a 75 gal with stand for $84.00 I think I should of got that.

 

[serum153]

I regret getting the 55. I will be upgrading to my 75 in about 3 weeks and I can't wait. The aquascaping room on a 55 is terrible. Don't make the same mistake that I did, go for the 75. The cost difference to maintain will not be much at all.

 

[drillsar]

the thing is I live on the 2nd floor, so im not sure if my floor will be able to hold this extra weight. Thats why im a little nervous.

 

[stingythingy45]

I have a 55 right now.
I don't mind it that much.Yeah,it's a little narrow but it works for me. I LOL at folks that have a 75 gallon with 150Lbs. of LR saying a 55 is not big enough for a Tang.That said I'll probably jump to a 75 gallon reef ready in the near future